Sweet, spiced Persimmon Protein Muffins turns the fresh fruit into a delicious breakfast or brunch treat! Healthy persimmon muffins use protein powder for sugar, and have no butter or oil added.
Jump to RecipeTo be honest, I’ve never had persimmon before this – on its own or in a dessert – and the only reason I went for this recipe is because one of my readers emailed me asking for a persimmon dessert recipe.
Looked up some persimmon puree recipes online and went for these protein muffins. Not sure where the hint of nutmeg and topping of hazelnut came from, but these spiced muffins turmed out just perfect.
Ingredients for Persimmon Protein Muffins:
This recipe for persimmon protein muffins is made with simple and healthy ingredients; No butter, oil or sugar here.
- Persimmon Purée/Pulp from fresh, ripe persimmon or a can
- Vanilla Protein Powder as a replacement for the sugar – this is what makes this a sugarfree protein muffin recipe; I use Quest Vanilla protein powder
- Unflavored Protein Powder to replace some of the flour (and carbs) in the recipe for a slightly lower carb high protein brownie. I used Quest Nutriton Multi-purpose here.
- Whole Wheat Pastry Flour for a healthy, nutritious and whole grain muffin recipe.
- Non-fat Greek Yogurt to add even more protein and keep these low fat
- Almond Milk for some moisture
Also makes this a dairy free muffin recipe. Feel fee to use any other non dairy or normal milk - Eggs
- Stevia Sweetener
- Baking Soda and Baking Powder – you need them both for that perfect rise!
- Nutmeg
And then for the topping
- Macadamia Nuts
Tips for making Persimmon Muffins with Protein Powder
This recipe for persimmon protein powder muffins really is quite easy, but here’s some tips to get them perfectly light and fluffy.
- Use puréed persimmon so there’s no chunks in the muffin batter; A few are okay.
- If using fresh persimmon, make sure they are completely soft ripe (this ensures they’re sweet too). Puree using a hand mixer or blender.
- Don’t overmix the batter!
Pour the dry mix into the dry and just fold them together or too much gluten will develop, again giving you dense and gummy muffins. The protein powder could also cause toughness.
- Don’t skip out on the almond milk or the yogurt
They add a fair bit of moisture to the muffins since there’s no oil here, also the protein powder in the muffins needs extra moisture.
- Spray the insides of the muffin pan/liners with oil spray so the muffins come off easily.
- Bake muffins at 425°F for 5 mins, then reduce temperature to 350°F and continue baking to get that perfect rise!
That initial hot air makes the tops rise, and then the lower temperature lets the muffins continue to cook on the inside.
Can you store Persimmon Purée Muffins?
You can keep the persimmon purée breakfast muffins out at room temperature on the countertop for 2 or 3 days, or in the fridge for or 4 or 5 days. Be sure to use an airtight container.
To freeze the healthy persimmon muffins, wrap them plastic wrap, and place in a freezer-safe zipper bag. They’ll last for 2 or 3 months. Thaw them when you want a cozy persimmon dessert recipe for brunch!
Some alternatives for these Healthy Persimmon Muffins:
I made these healthy persimmon mufffins with the whole wheat pastry flour and protein powder as described, but here’s some other clean ingredients to try:
- Whole Wheat Pastry Flour: All purpose flour or 1:1 Gluten Free Baking Flour, in the same amount by weight not cups.
- Unflavored Protein Powder: 45g more Flour, but also reduce yogurt to ½ cup (112g)
- Greek Yogurt: Coconut Yogurt
- Almond Milk: Any other milk
- Stevia Sweetener: Monkfruit sweetener (I use the one from Lakanto; Code HAYLSKITCHEN gives you a discount here) or regular sugar
Some more Protein Muffins with Fruit to try:
- Oil Free Apple Protein Muffins
- Blueberry Sausage Protein Muffins
- Cranberry Eggnog Protein Muffins
- Chocolate Banana Protein Muffins in a Blender
Persimmon Protein Muffins – Sweet, Spiced Surprise!
Ingredients
- 1½ cups Whole Wheat Pastry Flour, 180g
- ⅔ cup Vanilla Protein Powder, Whey-casein, 60g, 2 scoops
- ½ cup Unflavored Protein Powder, Whey-casein, 45g
- Stevia Sweetener, 3 Tbsp sugar worth (Use your brand’s Conversion Chart)
- 2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 tsp Nutmeg
- 1 cup Persimmon Purée, 240g, From fresh fruit or canned
- ¾ cup Non-fat Green Yogurt, 168g
- 6 Tbsp Unsweetened Almond Milk, 90ml
- 3 Eggs
- 1 Tbsp Chopped Macadamia Nuts, For topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F, grease 14 muffin cups – 12-cup pan and 2 more with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together whole wheat pastry flour, vanilla protein powder, unflavored protein powder, stevia sweetener, baking powder, baking soda and nutmeg.
- In another bowl, whisk persimmon purée, Greek yogurt, almond milk and eggs.
- Add dry mix to wet, and gently fold until combined.DO NOT OVER-MIX or too much gluten will form from the wheat flour, and make the muffins dense.
- DO NOT OVER-MIX or too much gluten will form from the wheat flour, and make the muffins dense.
- Divide the batter among muffin cups, about ¾ way to the top.Top with chopped macadamia nuts.
- Bake for 5 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350°F (leaving muffins in oven) and bake another 13-15 minutes (total of 18-23 min).A toothpick inserted into center should come out dry.
- Cool for 10 minutes, then remove pan. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, about 15 minutes, and enjoy.
Notes
- Nutrition value is calculated using products recommended below.
- See post for alternate ingredients, tips and storage options.
- Quest Nutrition Vanilla Whey-Casein Protein Powder
- Quest Nutrition Multi-purpose Mix (Unflavored) Whey-Casein Protein Powder
- Servings: 14 muffins | Serving size: 1
- Calories: 122kcal
- Fat: 2.3g | Saturated fat: 0.4g
- Carbohydrates: 16.8g | Fiber: 1.8g | Sugar: 0.5g
- Protein: 10.2g
Hey! I'm Haylee
Google Software Engineer
I use my passion for baking (and eating) to create healthy, high-protein, good-for-you and diet-friendly desserts and sweet treats that are actually delicious.
Come join me in Hayl's Kitchen and let's eat high protein, sweet and guilt free!